Chapter Four

He sat down on floor of his shop, with his head placed on his hands that were on his raised knee. He suddenly stood up and angrily ordered his sales personnels to search thoroughly again. He didn't care if it was stressful for them. Then He went out to make a phone call. After the call, He tried to recall if there was any place He might have kept the money and forgotten. He was sure there was no other place besides his store. He had brought some money from his house and had joined it with the proceeds they had made that afternoon. He had stopped by the bank to deposit the money but realized that he had forgotten it. He decided to deposit it in the evening, but things didn't go for him as planned; the meeting lasted till night. He ended leaving the money in the supermarket without depositing it or taking it home. He began to tell at them and threaten them. He was actually accusing them of stealing it. They were still trying to make him believe they are innocent before the police men he had called, arrived.

"All of you will provide my money or else you will spend the rest of your lives in prison. Take them away!" He ordered. He was friends with the police men so they did as he wanted. Though not really because of their friendship but because they knew he would tip them later as usual. He did not know Mike has no plans of tipping anyone; not when he is looking for five hundred freaking thousand. Dora silently cried and blamed her husband for the loss. She wondered how he was able to forget such a huge amount of money.

After everyone had left, Mike and Dora were left alone. He sat down quietly on a chair and thought deeply of what to do. How to get back his money. He prayed to God for a miracle. Never has such a thing happened to him before. He thought of all the plans He had before the money was stolen. The big investment he had wanted to make.

"They will provide the money. All of it. Else they will never be released". Dora said in years. Mike told his landlord what happened but was surprised and disappointed by his indifference.

"He is supposed to ensure the safety of his tenants with their goods and shops but he failed to do so". Mike said. He promised not to have pity on his employees until they have returned his money. He also began to make some arrangements to buy CCTV camera.

"If I had done this when my wife told me to, I would not be experiencing this by now".He thought with regrets. Dora went back to her shop later in the evening and Kendra was free to go home.

She went home and met the house messed up as usual. Zara was sleeping with her uniform still on.

"Who entered my room?." Dora asked when She came back. They remained quiet, wondering who went to her room. Kendra never enters there unless she is permitted to do so. The kids enter the room only when they want to take something important. Could it be Zara who started living with them recently? After some seconds of no reply, Zara spoke. She wondered how Dora knew someone was in her room.

"Why did you enter my room?"

"To find my phone." She replied, trying not to show her fears.

Kendra knew Zara was in big trouble. Even if Dora doesn't punish her, Mike will.

"So because I seized your phone, you decided to challenge me by searching for it in my room, without my permission? I can see you lack respect." Dora scolded her and left. Kendra was surprise that was all. It was unlike her mistress. She doesn't end problems like that. It is either she scold and insult you, or she gives you a painful punishment. Mike wasn't interested in the issue. He had something more important on his mind. After eating, Kendra entered the kitchen to wash the dirty plates. Dora asked her to leave it and ordered Zara to do it and clean the kitchen after washing.

"I knew it won't end just there. That was why she didn't scold Zara for long or insult her". Kendra thought while going to the room. She knew Dora still has another punishments for Zara. Though she felt pity for Zara, she decided not to help.

"She needs to get used to the rules and be respectful. If not, living in this house with Madam Dora will be impossible."

Zara was the only one awake, washing in the kitchen. She was so upset with Dora that she began to wash the plates carelessly.

"I'm not her maid. When I'm done washing these plates, tomorrow she see them and doubt if I actually washed them". She soliloquised angrily.

"Chizaram?"

"Yes sir" Zara rushed to meet him.

"Can you still remember the day you came to this house?" Mike asked her.

"Yes sir".

"When was that? Which month?" Zara wondered why he was asking and why he even called her full name.

"23rd September". She replied.

Dora scoffed and said: "So You have even been keeping record of it?"

Zara was also surprised she still remember.

"It is a good thing you can still remember. So why haven't you learnt how to cook? Today is 9th December 2012. That is complete two months, if I'm not mistaken. You don't know how to cook simple spaghetti. Tell me, what have you been doing? You can't even wash clothes properly. It means you have not been learning anything from Kendra. If you have been learning from her, by now you should even know how to make soup. What is spaghetti?"Mike turned to her with a grin look.

"Even Mary who is ten can cook spaghetti perfectly. But it is the opposite with you. How old are you by the way?" Dora asked.

"14". Zara replied, feeling upset and embarrassed.

"14 and you still don't know how to cook and wash? Your work in this house is to assist Kendra in everything thing she does and do them properly, and early enough. Not to be lazy and order my children around". Zara felt mocked by Dora. She wanted to tell them to their faces to go to hell and find themselves a maid.

"Wait a minute. Did you call her 'Chizaram"? I thought her name is Zara?" Dora asked Mike confused.

"Her name is Chizaramekpere(God answered my prayers). But people call her Zara for short. Right?" He asked Zara who replied: "yes" and wondered if he was mocking her.

"Zara is a different name. It is not the short form of Chizaram." Dora scoffed

"You are not the one to tell me what my name is, and I wonder why you like mocking me." Zara thought angrily at Dora's statement.

"Now listen carefully. I want you to learn whatever Kendra teaches you. Be very attentive and do whatever she tells you to do because she will leave this house very soon. Nobody will have the time to teach you those things. Understood?" He asked with a serious tone.

"Yes sir." She replied and left

”Where will Kendra go? ...oh! To the university. But what if She doesn't get the admission?" Zara knew if Kendra leaves for the university, She will be in big trouble because she doesn't know how to do anything, and She wasn't interested in learning.

"When will you go?" She asked Kendra when she entered the room.

"Go where?"

"To school. Sir said you will leave soon."

"Next year. I have not written the exam or bought the form. I have only been attending lessons". She hoped what her Master meant was that She will leave the house for school, not her parent's house.

Zara was relieved to hear it was next year.

"Atleast I still have more time."

Kendra was curious to know what her Master and the police plan to with his employees but she couldn't approach him to ask. She was made to work with him in his supermarket. She knew things will turn out this way for her, when she heard her uncle swore never to employ anyone again. She began to miss some of her jamb classes. Luckily for her, her master was the kind of person that doesn't joke with education. Whenever there is nothing to do in the shop, he allows her to attend her classes but orders her to come immediately after it.

Christmas was approaching and they began to make preparations for it. Dora bought all the children clothes as usual.

"Jesus Christ! What is this?" Zara exclaimed, raising the dress up and looking at it with disgust.

"How can I wear this to church on Christmas day? She should have atleast taken me to a boutique to choose what I want. Not buying tags for me". She snarled while looking at the dress Dora bought her.

"Rags? Is that what you call what somebody sacrificed her time and money for? Rags?" Kendra couldn't take it anymore. Though she knew her mistress can be frustrating and overbearing sometimes but Zara is something else.

"Yes. Look at the clothes and shoes she bought for her children, see how beautiful they are. Look at what she bought for us........ok be honest, can you wear this thing to church on Christmas day?" Zara asked and the kids looked at Kendra to know her response. If Kendra should sincerely speak, She would say She hates the clothes and shoes and can no longer live with someone whose behavior is equivalent to Jezebel's. She couldn't say it in front of the kids, it be a bad example to them.

"Yes. And I'm sure the rags are better than what you wore, the first time you came to this house. You are not even grateful to the people who picked you up from the gutters, cleaned you and have you a better life".

"Oh boy! Zara I feel your pains." Desmond exclaimed, mockingly.

"Zara hide your face if the insult is too much." Pearl added without even knowing what She said. Kendra wondered where they learnt the mocking words from. Roseline remained speechless, observing everything while Mary kept laughing. Zara's control snapped. She walked to Desmond and Pearl and slapped them. She was about to slaary before Kendra rushed and stopped her. They ended up scattering the sitting room while fighting.

"My dress!" Roseline screamed like she has seen a ghost. Her eyes teared up as picked the white dress up.

"They tore my dress while fighting!" She said to her mum while crying. Kendra and Zara were on their knees, in front of Dora.

Mary had reported them when their parents returned from work. She literally explained everything without leaving out anything.

"So after using my hard earned money to buy you clothes and shoes for Christmas, this is how you thank me? By rejecting the clothes, insulting me and tearing my daughter's dress .

"And you" She turned to Kendra.

"You decided to dent your image and abuse the little respect my kids and I have for you, by fighting with this girl. Now I want the two of you to go and bring the shoes and clothes I bought you. And whatever you know you spoiled while fighting like fools, go outside now and look for where to mend it. Everything must be done this night.

Kendra cursed inwardly. She cursed the minutes she argued with Zara. Had she known, She would have ignored Zara and let the children do their job. If She had ignored Zara, Mary or any of the kids would have reported Zara to their mum. Atleast only Zara would have been the one serving the punishments by now. Kendra wondered if she still has their trust and respect.

"Aunty Kendra sorry. Is there anyway I can help you?" Pearl asked concerned.

Of course she still has atleast, one person's trust. What about others? She couldn't say if it was the same with Mary . Mary's behavior towards her was unreadable. What about Desmond? He was the free living type. He doesn't care to know what happenes around him. Always super active and happy . Roseline? The quiet one. Always meek and minding her business. Kendra wondered what Zara now thinks of her.

Their Christmas was celebrated indoors. No traveling, going out or even visiting of friends. But they had a number of visitors. Dora allowed Kendra and Zara to wear the clothes she bought them, after much plea from Kendra. Zara wondered why She had begged her(Dora) for forgiveness.

The new year celebration was a bit enjoyable. They went to an eatry and also took pictures. And for the first time, Zara played with the kids. They had fun together before going home

"It's a year, a new month and a new day." Zara wrote on her diary.

"I promise to be a better person this year. I will pay attention to Kendra whenever She is teaching me. I will be obedient and respectful to my master and mistress, but that doesn't mean I will take shit from them." She concluded before closing it. Kendra prayed Mike will give his decision a second thought. She was tired of staying in the shop and It felt like her presence there, was a bad luck to him because buyers barely bought from them. It disturbed her because if it becomes too much, they will stop helping her parents to pay tuition fees.